Hull Trains train driver Joanne (Jo) Pyman-Smith left an eighteen-year career in the fire service to begin working on the railway at the age of fifty, and has been shortlisted for a national award in her new role.

Judges of the ‘Emerging Talent Person Award’ category at the Rail Staff Awards have included Jo on their shortlist after she successfully completed Hull Trains’ Apprentice Driver programme and qualified as a train driver.

Jo previously worked for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, but decided to change her career and pursue her ambition to become a train driver.

Hull Trains reports that since joining the open-access operator, Jo “has impressed colleagues with her commitment to learning, positive attitude and determination to succeed”.

The Rail Staff Awards have taken place every year since 2007, aiming to recognise individuals whose work and achievement power Britain’s rail industry.

Hull Trains is still celebrating being named the country’s top scoring rail operator for customer satisfaction in June this year. The operator says that it “is passionate about making the rail industry accessible to those from all backgrounds, regardless of their previous experience”.

It works with training provider Train’d Up, and has seen a large proportion of its workforce successfully complete an apprenticeship.

Other Hull Trains staff have also been shortlisted for this year’s Rail Staff Awards finals.

Zac Botham, Hull Trains’ new Safety and Security Manager, has been shortlisted in the same category as Jo.

Gemma Scott, Planning and Performance Manager, has been shortlisted in the ‘Rail Manager of the Year’ category, and train driver Kelly Todd has been shortlisted in the ‘charity’ category for her fundraising efforts.

I have always had a passion for driving, I hold a boat licence and LGV licence so when I saw the opportunity to apply to Hull Trains as an Apprentice Driver, I knew this would be perfect for me. There are many transferable skills such as safety procedures, teamwork and working with the public. The process is in depth, but I succeeded and was offered an apprentice position which I was ecstatic about!

The training is both theoretical and practical, well-structured, but intense, especially coming from a non-railway background. To gain my licence has been one of my proudest achievements and the support and encouragement from my fellow apprentices, Hull Trains colleagues and management have been outstanding.

Jo Pyman-Smith, train driver, Hull Trains